Wanderlust Challenges discussion

July/August Group Read
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

Everyone is invited to join us in our Group Read for July and August..

**Please use spoilers when posting your comments.



In 1922, Count Alexander Rostov is deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal, and is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, a grand hotel across the street from the Kremlin. Rostov, an indomitable man of erudition and wit, has never worked a day in his life, and must now live in an attic room while some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history are unfolding outside the hotel's doors. Unexpectedly, his reduced circumstances provide him entry into a much larger world of emotional discovery.

Brimming with humor, a glittering cast of characters, and one beautifully rendered scene after another, this singular novel casts a spell as it relates the count's endeavor to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a man of purpose.

I've heard nothing but good things about this book. Though I know several members of the group have already read it. I hope there will still be a couple of you joining me.

I’m definitely in Jan.

im in...ive heard nothing but good things about this book as well...I checked it out from the library & haven't had the chance to read it yet …..guess now I will.

Yay...I'm going to have some company!!

I've previously read it .... 5***** and a ❤

I'll pop in later in the discussion as more people get into the book.

I picked up the book at the library today.

Ditto what BC said. Loved it. I listened to the hypnotic, velvet voice of Nicholas Guy Smith and I never wanted it to end (or I wanted it to never end?). I'll follow the discussion.

I'm planning on listening to it too Karen! Sounds like I have something to look forward to.

I read and listened to this book last year and loved it!

Jan wrote: "I've heard nothing but good things about this book. Though I know several members of the group have already read it. I hope there will still be a couple of you joining me."

I’ve only heard good things too, Jan! People seem to LOVE this book.

I’ll be joining you :)

And people tell me his Rules of Civility is also good, if not better!

Karen wrote: "And people tell me his Rules of Civility is also good, if not better!"

loved that one too

Add me to the list :)

I'm excited...more reading buddies!

Me too!!!!

I'm still at #91 for the audio and #161 for the ebook.

Wow!!!

jingles wrote: "I'm still at #91 for the audio and #161 for the ebook."
Wow, that's a bummer!

I'm glad my library finally got it and either they got enough copies or I was really lucky I've seen it before other noticed and the big run started so I downloaded it a few minutes ago and I'm looking forward to finally read it.
I'd prefer to read the English original but since it was more than unlikely my library'll get it so I'll be happy I can read it at all - even if it's 'only' the German translation :-)

Now I only hope I'll feel well enough to read it within the next three weeks.


Denise wrote: "Karen wrote: "And people tell me his Rules of Civility is also good, if not better!"

loved that one too"
I heard it too and so I hope Amazon will have a nice big deal so I can afford it or my library will buy it.

I'm going to be starting the audio of this tomorrow on my way to and from work. I'm excited :)

I just finished the first chapter.

An Ambassador
(view spoiler)[
I didn't get it at first - why Alexander was sent to live in the attic. But then, after I finished the first chapter, I went back and read the Epigraph, and from that, I think he was imprisoned because of the poem he wrote? (hide spoiler)]

I've listened through Anglican Ashore.

An Ambassador: (view spoiler)[ I like the Count a lot. He seems like a happy man though it doesn't sounds like he has had much adversity in his life. But I appreciate how her treats everyone around him - I think he makes each person feel important. I'm looking forward to seeing how he handles isolation. (hide spoiler)]

In response to jingles: (view spoiler)[ I knew going in the background. This is the beginnings of Soviet Socialism and they are suspicious of anyone that comes from wealth. The Count is a product of the Bolshevik empire and they distrust it. That alone could have had him killed but I think his poetry added flame to the fire. (hide spoiler)]

Anglican Ashore: (view spoiler)[ I loved this line!!
"...imagining what might happen if one's circumstances were different was the only sure route to madness."

I'm enjoying his "remembrances" - they give us a clear picture of what his life was like.

It looks like the Count is going to be using the gold coins with the help of Konstantin as his way to continue the small pleasures in life: his linens, soap and his pastry. (hide spoiler)]

Jan wrote: "In response to jingles: I knew going in the background. This is the beginnings of Soviet Socialism ...."

Actually, Jan, the poetry (view spoiler)[ is what KEEPS him from being imprisoned or sent to Siberia or worse. The poem is critical of the aristocracy, so they go easy on him and "just" put him under house arrest ... confined to the hotel for the rest of his life (hide spoiler)].

Thanks for the clarification BC :)

I've listened to a little more:

An Appointment: (view spoiler)[ I'm not sure why the count is forcing himself to read this book - maybe because it was his fathers. But the clock strikes 12 and he can't put it down fast enough and get out of his room.

At least they are giving him the freedom to walk around the hotel and how handy that his barber is right there. I was surprised he asked to have his 'moustaches" removed. (hide spoiler)]

An Acquaintanceship: (view spoiler)[ The descriptions of the hotel are great - you can really have a sense of place.

It looks like the count has a new a friend - "the young girl with the penchant for yellow". I think at first he wasn't too happy about it but he is still polite (as always) but seems to warms to the idea. She's quite good getting what she wants (like half his dinner).

All the duel information was interesting... (hide spoiler)]

Anyway: (view spoiler)[
So he's having tea with little Nina (we now have her name). And she gets "princess lessons". I though that was cute but she does have strong opinions and doesn't buy into everything.

On a side note, I haven't figured out the count's money situation yet. How is he paying for barbers, lunch, drinks, tea and even his little room. Does he still have access to his cash flow? (hide spoiler)]

Starting this one today on audio!

Linda wrote: "Starting this one today on audio!"

Sorry, I haven’t started yet, I will be back. 🙁

I did not get to return to this right away during the week last week as I'd planned. Today is Saturday though and I'm hiding out from everyone and everything so I can just read.

Jan and BC, thanks for the clarification on (view spoiler)[ the Count's confinement and the reason why. (hide spoiler)]

I got through the next chapter:

An Anglican Ashore:
(view spoiler)[
Jan - I have to agree with you, I really like the Count and his way of handling the circumstances in which he finds himself.

In this chapter we see the Count taking stock of what he's brought to the attic and how he needs to get rid of some things. I really liked the part where after going through the books, he's down to ONE book he's been meaning to read for years! One.Book. (I need to pause and count my blessings right here).

He reflects a bit on the memory of his sister. I wonder what happened to her. Yes, with such kindheartedness at the age of fourteen, one could only imagine the grace she might have exhibited at the age of twenty-five...

He get a visit from Konstantin. The count gives him some of the valued gold and in return Konstantin delivers three notes. This produces some linens, soap and pastry.

I really like the way he seems to think about and work through his difficult situation. He's finding ways to make his life easier and to enjoy the small things. (hide spoiler)]


An Appointment:
(view spoiler)[
So, the Count finds himself struggling through this one book he has left to read, which was his father's book.

Jan - I'm wondering too why he's forcing himself to read it. Here's my question? Wouldn't it be a possibility to obtain another book - one he'd much rather read - with a piece of the gold? Or perhaps this is something the Count considers to extravagant, and so will not get a new book. And to, perhaps that solution doesn't exactly fit in with his determination to live a practical life. Maybe that choice would be too extravagant and too impractical.

The count does seem very happy to be able to keep his weekly standing appointment with the barber. I too was surprised by the clean shave. (hide spoiler)]


An Acquaitanceship:
(view spoiler)[
The count now finds himself in a situation where he becoming restless. The walls are starting to close in. So he determines he must find a practical way to deal with it.

Enter one smart little girl.

I don't think he liked the interruption from the little girl very much either, but I think perhaps in the end he finds his distraction there, and perhaps it will help him to deal with the restlessness a bit.

I thought it was funny the way she talked him out of his dinner.
(hide spoiler)]


Anyway:
(view spoiler)[
The Count and Nina (the little girl) have tea, and Nina peppers him with questions on being a princess.

I like Nina and I think she provides a much needed distraction for the Count.
(hide spoiler)]

Jan - in response to (view spoiler)[the Count's finances, I'm curious about that as well. With him being imprisoned there, I don't think there is cost involved with him occupying the attic. However, the money has to be coming from somewhere for his every day needs.

I would have thought that all access his funds would have been cut off, but perhaps not.

Things like clean towels, clean clothes, clean sheets for the bed, etc. As he's in a hotel, someone would have to be paying for that, right?

Or am I just assuming he has access to those things and he really doesn't.

Hmm.... (hide spoiler)]

Jingles - In response (view spoiler)[ Hoping we get the answer to the $$ situation but we might not. But I agree with you that he could have more books brought in - maybe he will use another gold piece with his next appointment with Konstantine. But I think he feels he should read the book since it was his father's and I think he gave it to him.

I also had a thought wondering if the hotel has a library. It sounds like a place that might have such a thing.

I didn't catch that line about his sister. Now I want to know what happened to her!! Something to start paying attention to with his "remembering".

I'm still laughing over Nina conjuring him out of his dinner...lol. (hide spoiler)]

Jan - (view spoiler)[I didn't even think about the hotel having a library, but you are right. It sounds like it would have one. It has many other things, so would make sense.

Nina makes me laugh too. She's very direct, and as you mentioned earlier, doesn't buy in to everything she told. Smart child! (hide spoiler)]

Got another chapter in.

Around and About:
(view spoiler)[
This chapter absolutely made me laugh. Little Nina is educating the Count on the inner workings of the hotel...room by room. As it happened, after the Count's unfortunate night of drunkenness, he sees Nina in the lobby the next day, and she seems to be in a hurry to get to someplace. The Count stops hers, asks her where she's going, and Nina after some careful consideration decides to let the Count in on her little excursion.

I love the descriptions of Nina looking left, then looking right to make sure they aren't being seen. The author does such a great job of describing not only this behavior of Nina, but everything else as well.

In any case...they find some of the Count's old things in one room, in another they find books that have been left behind or abandoned.

Back in his room, in the evening as the Count is thinking back over things, he decides to expand his room a little bit. I think what he ends up doing is kicking a whole in the wall behind his wardrobe to allow him access to the room next to his. Then he proceeds to make himself a "study room", using some of the things that he and Nina found.

As it happens, Nina and the Count are in similar circumstances in that they are both trapped in the hotel right now, and so must find ways to keep life as normal as possible. If they can't go out of the hotel to do the things they want to, they must be creative and bring the outside world into the hotel.

They are both proving creative and resourceful in this endeavor I think.
(hide spoiler)]

I listened to two more chapters:

Around and About: (view spoiler)[ It's been a couple weeks and the Count "is at a loss of what to do with himself". In waltzes Nina to help and educate him on the the "behind the scenes goings on" of the hotel. Like jingles mentioned in her above post, this chapter was simply delightful. I also LOVED Nina's looking both ways before making each move bringing on the giggles with me each time.

Her question to him about "receiving illicit love letters" was too funny and of course he immediately answers her that he "most certainly" has received some. She has quite the imagination. And I can't believe she managed to get a passkey to all the doors!!!!

The count has learned an important thing about the hotel and his suspicions about there being a room behind the closet are absolutely correct. So he creates a lovely little sitting room for himself - a place to nourish his spirit. His bedroom is under governance authority but his secret room can be "as vast as one cares to imagine regardless of its dimensions." (hide spoiler)]

An Assembly: (view spoiler)[ Nina calling the count a fuddy-duddy gets him to accompany her to the ballroom to sit through an assembly of the Union of Railway Workers. The situation is a tight fit making the count rip his pants for the 2nd time. Poor guy!

After leaving the ballroom and going to ask Marina the seamstress to fix another pair of pants, the count is summoned to the office of the hotel manager. He seems like a useless kind of guy. But he informs the count that he will no longer be addressed with "honorifics". But before the conversation is over, the manager steps out of the office for a moment. The count takes advantage of the time discovers something that he obviously had been told about by the Grand Duke (of the gold coins). Something marvelous......can't wait to find out what it was. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Read another chapter this morning.

An Assembly:
(view spoiler)[
Nina knows which buttons to push with the Count in order to get him to do what she wants him to, I think. I laughed at her calling him a fuddy-duddy.

I did not remember who the Grand Duke was, so I was really puzzled about the secret opening the Count finds while in the office of the hotel manager alone. I was reminded though, Jan, when I read your post about this chapter.

As you mentioned - it has to be something wonderful! (hide spoiler)]

Jingles - (view spoiler)[ I had to search for Grand Duke on my kindle to see previous mentions of him to find out who he was. So you weren't alone...lol. (hide spoiler)]

Glad you are enjoying it Dee! It is quite different but I'm enjoying it too.

I'm following all of your comments. I read it - actually, listened to it - a while ago so this is like reading it all over again! Who is listening to it? Is Nicholas Guy Smith's voice just not divine? Pure velvet.

Karen - I'm listening to it with a companion ebook. Yes, he does have a fabulous voice!

I did start this a few days ago, but being a slow reader it’s going to take me awhile.

Jan in An Assembly, (view spoiler)[I too am very curious what he Count found. I. Another note, I find Nina delightful (hide spoiler)]

Cecile - (view spoiler)[ Completely agree...Nina is delightful!!! Though I have a hard time thinking of her as a 9 year old. It's been too long since I've been around young children. (hide spoiler)]

Listened to the next 2 chapters -

Archeologies (view spoiler)[ We meet one of the counts friends from the past and a look into his life when he was a younger man. To be honest, I wasn't completely sure why Mishka came by to the count except maybe to "catch up". But maybe we will learn more later. The book does have a way of jumping around that is a bit disconcerting. I still want to know what he found in the manager's office!! (hide spoiler)]

Advent (view spoiler)[ This was a lovely chapter.....until the end :/
At the beginning I chuckled as the count prepares to enter the cloak room, but first looks left and then right. He has learned the drill well from Nina.

And again Nina has charmed me though I still struggle believing a 9 years old could carry off such conversations. She seemed thoroughly touched (and struck dumb..lol) by the count's gift of the opera glasses. And wasn't he surprised when she had his present delivered to him.

The episode with the young couple was sweet. I enjoyed hearing the count's thoughts about them. He's so perceptive and loved how he helped save a difficult situation for the young man. And then we are introduced to the Prince - Nilolai Petrov, giving us an accurate picture of the turbulent times they are living in.

At last we discover what Nina has given the count after playing the box within a box game - her passkey to the hotel. It was sad thinking she may not need it anymore and the count may have lost his "partner in crime". And then we read/listen to the last sentence in the chapter and are horrified at what we may witness in the future. (hide spoiler)]

Completed Book Two(through Adieu): (view spoiler)[

These are sad chapters for me - The Count is getting used to his exile and he made a good point. That being exiled in your own country just might be harder than being sent off to a new country,, Nothing is new for him and he begins to feel invisible and loses heart.

Nina is getting older and probably does not spend the time she used to with the count. He has a little fling with Anna the actress and meets Abram, the handyman who spends his time on the roof with the bees. By the end of this section we are very glad of this important meeting since it will be his saving grace.

And we learn what happened to his sister and see why her death weighs on him so. I hope to see good things happen to him in the coming years. This was a difficult few years for him. He such a sweet dear man I hope he finds new life somehow in the midst of his exile. (hide spoiler)]

Started Book Three:

Through Afternoon Assignation: (view spoiler)[ So it seems like the Count has found new purpose and has taken on the role of Maitre 'd. I think this is an appropriate role for him and he seems happy in it.

His meeting with Nina is disturbing - she is so passionate about "the party" but I liked how Marina reminds him that she is young and this is normal for youth and that he should trust who she is and trust her to make the right choices.

We learn more about Anna - the Count's actress. She seems an ingenious woman and has managed to survive the bad and the good times of her career. (hide spoiler)]

An Alliance: (view spoiler)[ This was a strange chapter but I'm always amazed how the Count handles unusual situations. His upfront approach worked with this officer of the party but it seems like this will not be the last we see of Osip Ivanovich. (hide spoiler)]

Absinthe: (view spoiler)[ The undercover makings of the bouillabaise was funny. Though I get confused regarding the hierarchy of the people in the hotel. I'm not sure what or who the Bishop is and what is role at the hotel is. But he is a nosey guy and wants to know everything that is going on. (hide spoiler)]

An Arrival: (view spoiler)[ Quite the turn of events here!!! In the span of 15 minutes, the Count's life changes drastically. Nina's husband is in trouble and she turns to the Count for help and a new young girl enters his life. (hide spoiler)]

Finished Book Three

Adjustments: (view spoiler)[ This sentence made me laugh: "how is it possible that she (Sofia) take up so much space?! Somehow this little visitor....had altered every dimension of the room."

And it dawns on the count that he has become "settled in his ways" which surprises and worries him. (hide spoiler)]

Ascending, Alighting: (view spoiler)[ Sofia seems like a sweet child - but she's also VERY smart. I love how she out-smarted the count in their game. He has his hands full taking this little one on.

Mishka gets sent to Siberia and we are sadly informed that Nina does not return for her daughter. (hide spoiler)]

8 years later - Antics, Antithese, an Accident: (view spoiler)[ I figure out my Bishop question - it seems he is in charge of the hotel now and calls the Count in to question him about the geese on the 4th floor. Is he insinuating it may have been Sophia? The count his sure his well-mannered girl could not have been involved but then are told about the feathers in the dumb waiter.....LOL.

It does seem like Sofia enjoys her quiet tricks - somehow beating the Count back to the room.

Mishka returns from Siberia a bit worse for wear and the count has a hard time getting his head wrapper around Mishka's musings about how the Russians will destroy what they own before letting someone else have it. He shares this with Opis at his monthly dinner and he proceeds to compare the Russians with the Americans stating that both nations have "learned to brush the past aside instead of bowing before it. The Americans in service of their beloved individualism the Russians in service of the common good." I found this whole conversation very interesting.

Sofia has an accident and I couldn't believe that the count LEFT THE HOTEL to hurry her to the hospital. It just shows how much he has come to love her as his own - "his daughter". And it took me a minute to figure out what transpired there but it seems that Opis was watching out for them and brought in a more skilled surgeon to take care of things. But he also quietly sends the Count back to the hotel. That could have all ended in disaster but their friendship prevailed. (hide spoiler)]

I read this book last year and I have truly enjoyed your summary of each section. One thing that impressed me about this book, was the lovely sentences. Several times I would go back and reread a sentence because it was crafted so well. Unfortunately, I read it from the library, so I can't give you any examples.

The writing is beautiful Jackie!!

Read Book Four:

Adagio, Andante, Allegro: (view spoiler)[ I thought it was funny how quickly the count went into "rescue mode" when he heard Sofia was in the ballroom Viktor. What a surprise he received!! Looks like Sofia has a hidden gift. (hide spoiler)]

America: (view spoiler)[ I like the little game Sofia and the count play at dinner! But he was sure irritated when he discovered that she knows all about Anna and has even been discussing the situation with Marina. He was being pretty naive thinking she didn't know.

So Richard is a spy and wants to utilize the count in his espionage. I loved how the count gracefully says no. "Let's not speak of this again and we shall remain the best of friends." Classy!! (hide spoiler)]

Apostles and Apostates: (view spoiler)[ The count is anxiously waiting for Sofia's return from her competition. How difficult and agonizing it must be for him not to be there for her. They finally arrive and the news is wonderful - she has won!!! They are celebrating in "the study" but are interrupted with the news that the Bishop is on his way up. That was a close call on several accounts. Sofia was almost sent to St Petersburg but Anna came to the rescue. Very quick thinking on her part!

The chapter ends with sad news about Mishka. And we discover that he was the real author of the count's famous poem. So his best friend had a hand in saving the count's life. (hide spoiler)]

Almost done!!!

Applause & Acclaim: (view spoiler)[ Sofia's orchestra is heading to Paris in 6 months! But she has told them she doesn't want to go. I was proud of the count for helping her understand that she needs to move beyond the confines of the hotel. (hide spoiler)]

Achilles Agonistes: (view spoiler)[The count is up to something - he is mysteriously collecting odd things. (hide spoiler)]

Arrivederci: (view spoiler)[ More collecting (or stealing). He still has Nina's passkey and making good use of it. He has a plan and we know it involves Paris. (hide spoiler)]

Adulthood: (view spoiler)[ I had to giggle at the count's response to the beautiful "backless" dress. He is acting like such a dad!! (hide spoiler)]

An Announcement: (view spoiler)[ An important dinner with Russia's leaders happens and the count hears the important announcement about the new nuclear power plant becoming operational. And it was precisely described by him as "political theater" when the electricity stops and then starts up again. (hide spoiler)]

Andedotes: (view spoiler)[ The count shares his plan with Sofia and she seems worried but he asks her to trust him. The plan is unveiling itself to be something big and possibly life changing. Their last dinner together before she leaves is sweet and I loved that he gave her a picture of himself and shared how the moustaches actually played a role in him meeting her mother. (hide spoiler)]

An Association: (view spoiler)[ The count has Opis watch Casablanca. I'm admitting I've never seen the film :( (hide spoiler)]

Antagonists at Arms: (view spoiler)[ A Finnish passport has been added to the count's collections and we find out that whatever is going to happen is planned for the next evening. But he has a wrench thrown into his plans...the Bishop!!!

This chapter blew me away!! It confirmed the importance of the counts plan and how he wasn't going to let anything get in his way. And FINALLY we find out what was behind the picture in the manager's office!!!! (hide spoiler)]

Finished!!

Apotheoses & Afterward: (view spoiler)[ I enjoyed watching the plan unfold like clockwork. The telephone ringing was brilliant! (hide spoiler)]

And Anon: (view spoiler)[The ending surprised me a bit but with further contemplation it made complete sense. The plan was not to leave his beloved country but to be free in it. (hide spoiler)]

This was a lovely book that I thoroughly enjoyed. Especially when I embraced the fact that it was not about what was happening outside of the hotel but the transformation of what was happening within it.

I loved it too. I have Rules of Civility in audio but haven't listened to it yet. It is supposed to be fabulous too.